It’s a bird…is it a plane…it’s a flying dragon, descending over Chinatown, this Chinese New Year!
An artistic installation of a popular mythical oriental creature – an 88ft long ‘Flying Dragon’, will be featured in Kwai Chong Hong, a uniquely restored area complete with pre-war buildings set to look like it’s the 1960s golden era in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Photo: Project Kwai Chai Hong
The team behind the installment, Bai Chuan Management, chose the theme “Lanterns and Dragon” to beautify the area this Chinese New Year. The entrance of Kwai Chai Hong has been adorned with strings of red lanterns hung along the infamous rejuvenated pre-war shophouses of yellow-walls and cyan-doors and windows along Lorong Panggung. The dragon is chosen as a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in the Chinese culture, often appearing in legends, festivals, art, astrology, idioms and even names.
“It all started with a dream – one of our partners wished to install a Flying Dragon during Chinese New Year. It took a lot of hard work and much blessings really – in researching methods and technical ways to produce it. There is as much science in this art installation than just pure creativity. We are truly grateful to have met a lot of talented people who supported our “Creation of a Fantasy” into what you see today, a reality,” said Zeen Chang, Managing Partner of Bai Chuan Management.
Photo: Project Kwai Chai Hong
Visitors taking a stroll through Kwai Chai Hong will be greeted by the Flying Dragon Art Installation right above the Red Bridge (Hong Qiao).
In the spirit of Chinese New Year, Kwai Chai Hong will also be hosting a variety of activities on the 8th February which includes Lion Dance Performances by Wan Seng Hang Dragon & Lion Arts, Busking Style Street Performances by Mojo Beast Blues, and a Chap Goh Meh Mini-concert by Esther Thian, the Astro Star Quest 2013 Champion.
Photo: Project Kwai Chai Hong
Kwai Chai Hong is open daily from 9am to 12midnight while the Flying Dragon Installation will be on display until the 16th February. For more details on opening hours during Chinese New Year, you may also visit Project Kwai Chai Hong’s Facebook or Instagram or www.kwaichaihong.com.
Will you be stopping by Chinatown soon to see the flying dragon?
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
